AB1466 CLINICAL FEATURES OF PATIENTS WITH FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER OVER 50 YEARS OF AGE
Authors: S. N. Baspinar, M. B. Yuzbasioglu, S. Yenigun, F. N. Azman, S. Ugurlu
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary monogenic fever syndrome characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and polyserositis. Types and frquencies of attacks can change throughout the life of patients. The course of disease is affected by pathophysiological changes due to aging, increased comorbid diseases and multiple drug use. <h3>Objectives</h3> The objective of this study was to understand the effect of aging on clinical features and disease course in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever. <h3>Methods</h3> 343 patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of FMF between 2005 to 2020 and were over 50 years old as of 2022 were included. The demographic characteristics of the patients, MEFV mutations, attack characteristics and the treatments they received were analyzed retrospectively. Attack characteristics, frequency of attacks and VAS scores of the patients were also analyzed and compared as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and most recent attacks. <h3>Results</h3> Female to male ratio was 1.8:1. The mean age of patients was 57.6±6.5 (50-84) years. Age of symptoms started, age at diagnosis and delay at diagnosis were compared between the female and male patients. At the age of symptoms started, no significant difference was detected between the two groups, while the age at diagnosis was later and the time of delay at diagnosis was longer in female patients (<i>p=0.006 and p=0.001</i>). Number and frequencies of attacks and VAS scores were compared as attacks before treatment, attacks after treatment and attacks in the last year, a significant decrease was found in the last attacks (p&lt;0.001). The frequency of fever, abdominal pain, arthritis and chest pain was significantly lower in the most recent attacks when compared to pre-treatment and post-treatment (p&lt;0.001). The last attacks of the patients were mostly in the form of abdominal pain. Patients were compared as those who did not have an attack in the last year and who had an attack, it was seen that the mean age was lower in the group that had an attack (p&lt;0.005). The mean of current colchicine dose was 1.29±0.43 mg, the mean dose of colchicine at diagnosis was 1.37±0.36 mg and the mean of maximum colchicine dose was 1.6±0.43 mg. <h3>Conclusion:</h3> It has been shown that there is a decrease in disease activity, frequency of attacks and the dose of colchicine used in FMF with aging. <h3>References</h3> [1] Ozen S, Bilginer Y (2014) A clinical guide to autoinflammatory diseases: familial Mediterranean fever and next-of-kin. Nat Rev Rheumatol 10:135-147 [2] van der Hilst J, Moutschen M, Messiaen PE, Lauwerys BR, Vanderschueren S (2016) Efficacy of anti-IL-1 treatment in familial Mediterranean fever: a systematic review of the literature. Biologics 10:75-80 [3]Siegal S (1949) Benign paroxysmal peritonitis. Gastroenterology 12:234-247 [4]Reimann HA (1951) Periodic disease. Medicine (Baltimore) 30:219-245 [5]Heller H, Sohar E, Sherf L (1958) Familial Mediterranean fever. AMA Arch Intern Med 102:50-71 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.